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Carol Polis

Carol Polis

Keynote Speaker: First Female Professional Boxing Judge in the World

  • Travels From:
  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Carol Polis Biography

When "Million Dollar Baby" won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2004, it became clear that the world had fallen in love with a heroine so devoted to the historically male sport of boxing that she was willing to give her life to it. With the same determination and spirit, Carol Polis has also devoted her life to the sport of boxing.

Having played a pioneering role in the history of boxing, Carol Polis -- the first woman to judge professional boxing -- is in a unique position to tell her story of breaking barriers, surviving in a man's world, and serving both as a witness to and participant in the most memorable era of one of the world's most popular sports. And as if that is not enough, she also raised four kids and a grandson single-handedly and is a cancer survivor as well.

While there have always been women role models, the emergence of Michelle Obama as First Lady, an achiever and independent htinker, represents the crowning moment in a new era. There have never been more women serving and performing more prominently in mainstream society than today.

It is even true in sports where athletes like Sheryl Swoopes, Mia Hamm, Dara Torres and Danica Patrick are standouts who have been preceded by trailblazing women who knocked down barriers and opened doors.

One of those doors opened quietly in 1973 when Carol Polis became the first female professional boxing judge in the country. Polis has served continuously for 36 years in this capacity -- traveling to nine countries and officiating at 27 title fights. Having seen both professional sports and gender politics from the inside for nearly four decades, she is well equipped to speak about sports and women's experiences as well as serve as a role model for those needing a lesson in courage.

Some have said that no town is tougher on its local athletes and celebrities than Polis' hometown of Philadelphia. Perhaps no town is more loyal to these people either. In fact, Polis is a local hero in the city of brotherly love, the fifth largest media market in the country. Greater Philadelphia serves as a perfect fit and an ideal springboard for Polis' delivery of memories and messages.

Standing 5' 1/2" and weighing just enough not to be bowled over in a stiff wind, Carol Polis, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, packs more punch in what she has to share than just about any boxer you can name.

When people are around Carol Polis, they should never let their guard down. She'll steal hearts and leave people on the canvas thinking about how "with courage, anything is possible." The reason? The Lady is a Champ!

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Carol Polis and other top speakers and celebrities.

Carol Polis Speaking Topics

The Lady is a Champ

As the outcome of any fight can change in a split second with a surprise punch, Carol B. Polis' life has at time followed that same trajectory. Based on her book The Lady is a Champ, this speech depicts how her battle with cancer gave her strength and courage she never knew she had, how her travels throughout the world were filled with surprises---some good and some bad, and how her life as a happy single mom, raising 4 children and then her grandson, has forever been changed. When people are around Polis, they should never let their guard down. Why? She'll steal hearts, because the lady truly is a champ!

With Courage Anything is Possible

Decades prior to the emergence of Oprah and Hillary Clinton, Carol B. Polis was a female pioneer who broke down every barrier in the male dominated profession of boxing in 1973. She became the first woman to judge the professional sport. Now, she shares her personal story and the biggest battle she ever fought, that of breast cancer. In this speech, she explains her unique position, how she learned to cope through courage and that cancer is not always a death sentence. With hard work, following the doctor's orders and believing anything is possible, she was able to come out on top!

Topics: Sports, empowerment, womens subjects, family, overcoming adversity

Being investigated by the FBI, and appearing as a contestant on What s My Line and To Tell the Truth.

Memories of finding herself at the center of a riot at Madison Square Garden, the fans reaction to a female boxing judge, the great Don King

Carol Polis Videos

Carol Polis - With Courage Anything is Possible - YouTube
The Story of Becoming the First Female Boxing Judge - YouTube
Carol Polis talks about her new book "The Lady is a Champ" on Fox ...

How do I book Carol Polis to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Carol Polis for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Carol Polis, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Carol Polis or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Carol Polis for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Carol Polis, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Carol Polis are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Carol Polis, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Carol Polis speak about?

Carol Polis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sports Motivation, Women, Empowerment, Women's Health, Family & Parenting, Overcoming Adversity and Cancer.

Where does Carol Polis travel from?

Carol Polis generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Carol Polis?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Carol Polis for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Carol Polis for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Carol Polis or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Carol Polis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Sports Motivation, Women and Empowerment. The estimated speaking fee range to book Carol Polis for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Carol Polis generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Monica Pearson, Shannon Miller and Sharon Delaney McCloud. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Carol Polis for an upcoming event.

Carol Polis Speaking Topics

  • The Lady is a Champ

    As the outcome of any fight can change in a split second with a surprise punch, Carol B. Polis' life has at time followed that same trajectory. Based on her book The Lady is a Champ, this speech depicts how her battle with cancer gave her strength and courage she never knew she had, how her travels throughout the world were filled with surprises---some good and some bad, and how her life as a happy single mom, raising 4 children and then her grandson, has forever been changed. When people are around Polis, they should never let their guard down. Why? She'll steal hearts, because the lady truly is a champ!

  • With Courage Anything is Possible

    Decades prior to the emergence of Oprah and Hillary Clinton, Carol B. Polis was a female pioneer who broke down every barrier in the male dominated profession of boxing in 1973. She became the first woman to judge the professional sport. Now, she shares her personal story and the biggest battle she ever fought, that of breast cancer. In this speech, she explains her unique position, how she learned to cope through courage and that cancer is not always a death sentence. With hard work, following the doctor's orders and believing anything is possible, she was able to come out on top!

  • Topics: Sports, empowerment, womens subjects, family, overcoming adversity

  • Being investigated by the FBI, and appearing as a contestant on What s My Line and To Tell the Truth.

  • Memories of finding herself at the center of a riot at Madison Square Garden, the fans reaction to a female boxing judge, the great Don King

Carol Polis Videos

Carol Polis - With Courage Anything is Possible - YouTube
The Story of Becoming the First Female Boxing Judge - YouTube
Carol Polis talks about her new book "The Lady is a Champ" on Fox ...
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